Foldable metallic bedstead.



PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904.

C. P. BROWN.

POLDABLE METALLIC BEDSTBAD.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1903.

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PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904.

C. P. BROWN. FOLDABLE METALLIC BEDSTEAD.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1903.

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A TTOHN E Y I No. 773,468. PATENTED OCT. 25,1904.

0. P. BROWN. 7 FOLDABLE METALLIC BEDSTEAD.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 26, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented October 25, 1904.

PATENT ()FFICE.

CYR-IL PECK BROWVN, OF SPRINGLAKE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN FRANKLIN JOHNSTON, OF GRAND HAVEN,

MICHIGAN.

FOLDABLE IVIETALLlC BEDSTEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 773,468, dated October 25, 1904.

Application filed November 25, 1903. Serial N0. 182,622. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CYRIL PEoK BROWN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Springlake, in the county of Ottawa and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Foldable Metallic Bedstead, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in foldable metallic bedsteads of the kind disclosed in a prior application filed by me on June 18, 1903, Serial No. 162,013, wherein I have disclosed a hinge-rod ranging lengthwise of the bedstead, a bed-frame mounted at or near one side on said rod for movement on a horizontal axis, and end members movable on vertical axes into substantially parallel relation to the bed-frame when the parts are folded.

The leading feature of this invention is the provision of means by which the bed-frame is balanced without resorting to weights,springs, or the like, thus making the operations of raising and lowering the bed-frame easy and rapid of performance. I

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of simple means for drawing the several parts of the structure into firm interlocking relation when they are unfolded for use.

Another feature is the provision of means by which standard patterns of metallic head and foot sections may be easily placed in a condition wherein they may be utilized in the construction of a foldable bedstead as contemplated by this invention.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoincd description, and the actual scope thereof will be defined by the annexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foldable bed constructed in accordance with my inventhe counterbalancing-feet adapted to be applied to the bedstead, at one side thereof. Fig.

5 is a detail perspective view showing the devices whereby an interlocking connection may be obtained between a corner-post and the swinging side of the bed-frame; and Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of accessory devices for use in connection with the common style of bed-lug on the standard make of an end section of a bedstead, said devices being employed to convert an ordinary bedstead into a foldable bedstead, as contemplated by this invention.

A designate the bed-frame, B the head-section, andUthe foot-section, of a metallic bedstead, these parts being constructed and arranged for use in connection with certain devices whereby they may be folded compactly with relation one to the other. The two end sections B O and the bed-frame A may be made of any desired pattern and of any suitable materials; but I prefer to make these parts of metal similar to standard metallic bedsteads, whereby the improved foldable structure of this invention quite closely resembles ordinary metallic bedsteads. It is usual in the art to provide each end section B C withv lugs which extend inwardly from the corner-posts thereof; but the present invention contemplates the provision of means by which the'lugs of standard bedsteads may be used in connection with folding and locking devices, so as to make the standard structure convertible into a foldable bed, although in the manufacture of the improved bedstead the lugs may be especially made on the cornerposts to secure the objects that Ihave in view.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings a corner-post vD of either end section B or C is shown as having an 1nwardly-extending lug (Z, the latter being provided in its inner face with a tapering groove d. If the bedstead is composed of head and foot sections of standard construction and having lugs similar to the lugs d of Fig. 6, I employ an accessory lug 5, the same being cast in a single piece of metal in the form shown by said Fig. 6 of the drawings. This accessory lug is provided at its upper end with a flange 6, through which is formed an opening 7. The accessory lug is also provided with a dovetailed groove 8, which is produced in one side thereof to extend from top to bottom of said lug, and in the other side of the lug is formed a shorter tapering groove 9. Between the two grooves 8 9 in the respective faces of the accessory lug is a vertical opening or passage 10. The accessory lug 5 is applied against the inner grooved face of the standard lug cZ so that the flange 6 will rest upon the standard lug and the opening 7 in said flange will register with the groove (5' of the standard lug. A washer or plate 11 is applied against the under face of the standard lug and the accessory lug, and the several parts are bound together by the employment of a vertical bolt, (not shown,) which passes through the flange 6 of the accessory lug, the groove d of the standard leg, and one opening of the under plate or washer 11. The opening or passage 10 in the accessory lug 5 is designed to receive a pintle or bent end a of a horizontal rod E, the latter being located at one side of the bedstead and ranging lengthwise thereof.

It is to be understood that I employ one hinge-rod E, the ends of which are bent at right angles to produce the pintles e, and these pintles are fitted loosely in the openings 10 of the accessory lugs, so as to connect the two end frames B C on one side of the bedstead, whereby the end frames B C are connected pivotally at their corresponding ends to the hinge-rod in a way to be foldable inwardly upon the bedframe A and into parallel relation one to the other, as shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings 1 have shown an end post 1) constructed with a special form of lug adapted for use in connection with the improvements which I. have made in the foldable metallic bedstead. This lug 5 is cast with the post D or rigidly united thereto in any suitable way, and said lug is provided in its respective sides with the tapering grooves 8 9. The lug 5 is furthermore provided with a vertical passage 1O between the two grooves 8 9, and this vertical passage is adapted to receive the bent end or pintle at one extremity of the horizontal rod, which ranges lengthwise of the bed, at one side thereof.

The bed-frame A is provided on one side with counterbalancing-feet F F, which are peculiarly constructed and arranged to serve several important purposes in the improved foldable bedstead. The two feet are substantially the same in construction, so that a description of one will answer for the other. One foot is shown more clearly by Fig. 1 of the drawings, by reference to which it will be seen that the foot is cast in a single piece of metal and in the form of a T. The shank or long arm 12 of the T-shaped foot is provided on one side with face-plates 13 and with a longitudinal slot 14. The head of the T- shaped foot consists of a short arm 15 and a long arm 16, said arms 15 16 being practically continuous one with the other and extending on curved lines in directions substantially at right angles to the shank 12. The arms forming the head of the T-shaped feet are provided at their outer ends with soeketed hubs 17, adapted to receive the shanks of roller or ball casters 18 19. The two feet F F are arranged beneath the cross-rails of the bed-frame A, so that the face-plates 13 thereof will bear firmly against said cross-rails, and the face-plates are secured solidly to said rails by belts or other suitable fasteners in order to solidly attach the feet to the under side of the bed-frame,at one side thereof. The heads -of the T-shaped feet project or are exposed beyond one side of the bed-frame, as shown by Fig. 2 of the drawings, and the slotted shanks of these feet receive the longitudinal hinge-rod E in a way to provide for a slidable adjustment of the bed-frame on the hinge-rod and with relation to the end members B C of the bedstead.

The bed-frame is connected with the hingerod E through the medium of the slotted shanks 12 of the feetF F, and said bed-frame is slidable in a transverse direction upon the hinge-rod, owing to the presence of the slots 1a in the shanks of said feet. These feet are applied to the bed-frame at one side and transversely thereof, and the other side of the bedframe is provided with locking members G, one of which is shown in detail by Fig. 5 of the drawings. These locking members are each cast in a single piece with an end plate 20 and with depending legs 21 22, the same being tapered or made wedge shape. These legs occupy diverging relation to one another, and the leg 22 is considerably longer than the leg 21. One of the locking members is applied to one of two corners of the bed-frame A, on the under side thereof, and in the position shown by Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and this member is arranged for its long and short tapered legs 22 21 to [it in the respective grooves 8 or 9 of the accessory lug or corres tionding grooves 8 9 of the special lug 5" when the bed-frame is lowered to a horizontal position in order to connect the free corners of the head and foot sections B C of the bedstead.

With thebedstead in the position shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings the operator first proceeds to unfold the foot-section C in an outward direction from the bed-frame, and thereafter the head-section B is drawn in an outward direction from said bed-frame, the head and foot sections B C being spread apart a distance slightly exceeding their normal position when coupled to the bed-frame by the locking members G, to be presently described. The operator now proceeds to turn the bedframe A from its vertical to a horizontal position, and to accomplish this end the bedframe is pulled downward, so that the slotted shanks of the feet F F will turn on the hinge E. When the bed-frame occupies a horizontal position, it is adapted to be drawn sidewise in one direction in order to slide the slotted shanks 12 of the feet F F upon the horizontal hinge-rod E and to draw the locking members G toward the lugs on the corners of the bedstead opposite to the hinge-rod E. The end sections are now drawn inward slightly in order to bring the lugs thereof into position for engagement with the legs on the locking members, and these legs are adapted to wedge themselves into place in the grooves of the lugs, so as to draw the parts firmly in their adjusted positions.

To sustain the unhinged side of the bed-frame A in position while adjusting the same, 1 proe vide a foldable leg or prop H, which is pivoted, as at 7:, to the middle part of the bed-frame. This leg or prop is adapted to be folded into compact relation to the under side of the bedframe when the latter is folded for storage, as shown by Fig. 3; but when the bed-frame is lowered or is being adjusted the prop should be unfolded in order to rest on the floor, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

To fold the bedstead, one side thereof is slightly lifted in order to withdraw the legs of the locking members G from the grooves of the lugs on the corner-posts, and the bedframe is now moved horizontally with relation to the hinge-rod E and the end sections B (J. This projects that side of the bedstead having the counterbalancing-feet F F beyond the corresponding end portions of the end members B C, and by lifting the unhinged side of the bed-frameA slightly the bed-frame may be turned to its vertical or upright position, the excess of weight on the projected side of the bed-frame having the feet E F serving to balance the bed-frame with relation to the hinge-rod and insure the easy upward movement thereof by a slight effort on the part of the operator. When the bedframe is turned to its vertical position, the casters on the T-shaped feet afford a wide base for supporting the bed-frame in its vertical position, and as the end members B C of the bedstead are also provided with casters it will be seen thatthese end frames or members are adapted to be turned inwardly on vertical axes afforded by'the bent ends or pintles e of the hinge rod, whereby the end frames are foldable into parallel relation to one another and to the bed-frame, and one end section, as C, may have overlapping relation to the other end section, as B.

The T-shaped feetFF, applied tothe bedframe A at one side thereof, provide a firm and large base for said bed-frame when it occupies its vertical folded position, and the casters on the feet, together with the casters on the end frames B C, allow the bed to be easily moved from one place to another on the floor. In turning the bed-frame from a vertical to a horizontal position the forward casters engage the floor at such an angle as to roll the bed sufficiently away from a wall and allow the bed-frame to turn easily and freely without touching the wall and injuring the surface thereof; but when the frame is raised the casters engage the floor, so as to carry the bed back to its position against the wall. The heavy weighted feet F F also act as a counterbalance to the bed-frame, so as to facilitate the elevation and depression thereof. Said feet also serve as the means for connecting the bed-frame to the horizontal rod, thus mounting the bed-frame on the rod in a way to turn thereon and to permit a transverse adjustment of the bed-frame, so as to utilize the weight of the feet in serving as a counterbalance to the bed-frame Without resorting to the employment of weights, springs, or equivalent counterbalance devices.

The accessory lugs 5 provide means for converting any or all cast-metal bedsteads of standard patterns into foldable bedsteads, because these lugs may be securely bolted to ordinary standard lugs on the four corners at the head and foot sections of the bedstead. The holes in the accessory lugs which are attached to the back lugs of the bedstead receive the bent ends of the hinge-rod, while the accessory lugs which are fastened to the standard lugs at the other corners of the bedstead receive the tapering legs on the locking members. or tie the front portion of the bed-frame to the head and foot sections when the bed is required for use. The object of the tapering construction of the locking members is to secure easy adjustment of the parts and by the natural weight of the load to draw the parts into firm locking relation, thereby taking up any shake or vibration of the head and foot sections on the bed-frame and at the same time permitting the bed-frame to be easily lifted without binding of the locking members in the accessory lugs. This wedging engagement of the locking members with the lugs compensates for any difference or irregulari- These members serve to securely lock I ties in the construction present in the different parts of the bed which are required to be connected.

it is evident that the mattress and bedding may be fastened to the bed-frame by any suitable devices and that the parts may be con cealed by a d rapcry-curtain when the bedstead is folded to the condition shown by Fig. 2). In case it is desired to disconnect the several parts of the bedstead the operator proceeds to lift the bent ends a of the hinge-rod from the openings 10 or 10 of the accessory or cast lugs 5, respectively, thereby readily dismounting the bed-frame from the end sections and permitting the parts to be packed for shipment or storage, as desired.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- .1. A foldable bedstead having end sections, a bed-frame, and a hinge-rod extendinglengthwise of the bedstead, and independent of the bed-frame, the end sectionsand bed-frame being mounted to turn on said rod.

2. A foldable bedstead having end sections, a hinge-rod extending lengthwise of the bedstead, and having pivotal connection at its ends with the end. sections, and a bed-frame pivotally mounted at one side on the hinge-rod and having interlocking engagement at its other side with the end sections, said hingerod being independent of the bed-frame.

3. Afoldable bedstead comprising end sections, a hinge-rod ranging lengthwise of the V bedstead at one side thereof, and a bed-frame mounted on said hinge-rod for transverse slidable and turning movement thereon.

4. A foldable bedstead comprising end members, a hinge-rod ranging lengthwise of said bedstead, and a bed-frame mounted on said hinge-rod for transverse slidable movement on said rod.

5. A foldable bedstead having end members, a rod ranging lengthwise of the bedstead at one side thereof, a bed-frame, and counterbalancing-feet attached to said bed-frame and mounted on said hinge-rod to slide and turn thereon.

6. A foldable bedstead comprising end members, a rod ranging lengthwise of the bedstead, and a bed-frame provided on one side with slotted feet which are mounted on said rod to slide thereon in a transverse direction.

7. A foldable bedstead comprising end members, a horizontal rod ranging lengthwise of the bedstead at one side thereof, a bed-frame, and weighted feet movable with said bedstead and fitted slidably on said rod, said feet having means for supporting the bed-frame when turned to a vertical position.

8. A fold able bedstead comprising end members, a rod ranginglengthwise of the bedstead at one side thereof, a bed-frame, and weighted feet secured fast to the bed-frame and fitted on said rod to turn and slide thereon with the bedframe, said feet serving as an enlarged base for supporting the bed-frame when turned to a vertical position.

9. A foldable bedstead comprising end sections, a hinge-rod ranging lengthwise of said bedstead, a bed-frame, and T-shaped feet secured firmly to the bed-frame for movement therewith, each foot being provided with a longitudinal slot for the reception of the rod, and with a head at an angle to said slotted portion.

10. A foldable bedstead having end members, lugs on said members and each provided with tapering grooves in its respective sides, a bed-frame, and locking members movable with said bed-frame and each provided with a pair of tapering legs arranged to have wedging engagement with the grooves of said lugs.

11,. The combination with end members having standard lugs, of accessory lugs fastened thereto, a horizontal rod connecting the end frames on one side of the bedstead, a bedframe mounted on said rod, and lockingmembers carried by the bed-frame at the opposite side from the rod, said locking members arranged to have interlocking engagement with the accessory lugs.

12. As a means for fastening a bed-frame to an end section, the combination with a standard lug, of an accessory lug fastened to said standard lug and provided with a tapering groove, and a locking member movable with a bed-frame and having wedging engagement with the accessory lug.

13. A foldable bedstead having end frames provided with standard lugs, perforated accessory lugs fastened to said standard lugs, a horizontal rod fitted to the accessory lugs on one side of the bedstead, a bed-frame mounted on said rod, and locking members carried by the other side of the bed-frame for interlocking engagement with other accessory lugs.

14. A foldable bedstead having end sections, a horizontal rod connected pivotally to said end sections and ranging lengthwise of the bed at one side thereof, a bed-frame mounted at one side on said horizontal rod and having means for securing an interlocking connection with the end sections on the other side of the bedstead, and a foldable prop attached to the unhinged side of the bed-frame.

15. A fold able bedstead, comprising hinged end sections, a bed-frame mounted at one side to turn and slide relatively to the end sections and means at the opposite side of the bedframe for detachably securing it to the end sections.

16. A foldable bedstead, comprising hinged end sections, a bed-frame mounted to slide and turn relatively to the end sections, and feet carried by the hinged side of the bedframe to support the latter when turned to an upright position.

17. A fold able bedstead, comprising hinged end sections, a bed frame mounted to slide a hinge connection With such end sections, and and turn relatively to the end sections, feet the bed-frame turning and sliding at one side carried by the hinged side of the bed-frame upon said intermediate devices. to support the letter when turned to an up- In testimony WhereofIhave signed my name 5 right position, and means for interlocking the to this specification in the presence of two sub- 5 other ,or free side of the bed-frame With' the scribing Witnesses.

end sections. CYRIL PECK BROWN.

18. A foldable bedstead comprising end sec Witnesses: tions, intermediate devices between said end J OHN B. PRUIM, IO sections at one side of the latter, and having ENNO J. PRUIM. 

